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LUKE'S LOCKER CELEBRATES 50TH YEAR OF TURKEY TROT SUPPORT

Luke’s Locker is celebrating their 50th year of supporting and volunteering for the Dallas Turkey Trot. Matt Lucas, President and CEO of Luke’s Locker, is a long-time runner and fan of the Dallas Turkey Trot. Growing up with a family of runners, Lucas talked fondly on learning how to run with his father and his brothers around White Rock Lake on Saturday mornings. His father, Don Lucas, was the founder of Luke’s Locker and first began volunteering for the Turkey Trot in 1969. Now, Matt Lucas continues the tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving morning at City Hall Plaza with the Dallas community. We sit down with Matt to hear about his favorite part of the Turkey Trot and why he continues to show his support year after year:

“The Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot is one of my favorite events anywhere and I think it’s an awesome tradition in Dallas. I am really outspoken in encouraging people to participate in this event because it is one of the oldest organized races in the city and it’s just an awesome way to start your day on Thanksgiving. I have spent a lot of early mornings at City Hall over my life. I have volunteered here at Luke’s Locker doing registrations as well as on race day where I would be a timer. Since I got started with the Turkey Trot at such at an early age, I think I have done almost all the Turkey Trots since the event was moved to City Hall. I have always loved this event and really considered myself both a participant and a volunteer.

Lucas shows the course map for the Turkey Trot in 1976 when it was held at White Rock Lake.

I think the thing I really look forward to the most with the Turkey Trot is being in Downtown Dallas, when the city is almost at rest for the holiday, but there are a ton of people gathered together for a great cause. The atmosphere and the vibe on Thanksgiving morning is just great. It’s really kind of a reunion, and I think that’s one of the biggest reasons people love the Turkey Trot. When you are at the race, you might see people who have been away at college, family coming in town, or people you just haven’t seen in a while to say hello to and catch up with. It’s a place where friends, family, and the community gather together, and I just love that reunion aspect.”

The picture to the right shows the course map displayed in Luke's Locker of the 1976 Turkey Trot when it was held at White Rock Lake.